Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

What happens when I come to the Counseling & Psychological Services office?

Students receiving services at Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) will generally engage in an initial in-person intake appointment with a licensed mental health therapist. During this initial appointment, the therapist will generate a comprehensive mental health evaluation that is individualized to assess each student’s strengths and needs. The assessment will also guide the recommended interventions, resources, and/or referrals to address the needs and goals of each student.

Some students come to CaPS with questions about mental health diagnoses or symptoms and are interested in learning more. Our clinical staff will help you understand possible mental health diagnoses, symptoms and treatment options. However, having a mental health diagnosis is not required to be eligible for services.

Part of each student’s comprehensive assessment includes an evaluation of safety. Particularly for students in crisis, evaluation of safety helps to ensure adequate support and linkage to services for follow-up.

After comprehensive evaluation and assessment, staff of CaPS may determine that a student does not require counseling or psychotherapy intervention, but rather referral to campus or community providers that can meet their needs.

CaPS staff can also determine an appropriate referral to an outside provider in the community if a student’s needs require specialized or longer term treatment. Referrals can also be made for psychological assessment. Counseling & Psychological Services does not provide psychological assessment or testing to determine disability or eligibility for disability services or to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Individual Therapy Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

When you come to Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS), you will be assigned an individual therapist. Individual counseling and psychotherapy provided are short-term and individualized to meet the unique needs of each student.

When you initially meet with your counselor/therapist he or she will work with you to develop goals and a plan for your sessions so you can get the most out of your counseling experience. You and your therapist will also measure the progress you are making toward your goals, and eventually plan for your independence from counseling, so that you can sustain changes and function to your highest ability.

Some of the factors that can make counseling more effective:

Having a sense of the goals you want to accomplish

A good connection with your therapist including mutual respect, trust and understanding

Motivation to make changes that may be needed

Group Therapy for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Research and our own experience reveals the power of group counseling in addressing many of the most common issues college students experience, such as relationship concerns, anxiety and stress management.

Groups are typically 5-10 students who meet weekly to discuss similar concerns and goals. Each group is led by a mental health professional who will help students get the most out of group and guide students toward their counseling goals. Group members learn from and support one another in a confidential and safe setting that promotes respect.

Here is what students are saying about Counseling & Psychological Services’ group program:

“Groups provide a safe place to talk with 100% chance of support”

“I enjoyed the amount of learning that occurred during group”

“It was reassuring to know that you could bring up personal problems while in a group environment”

“Knowing I’m not completely alone”

“Seeing that I can be accepted by others helps me to accept myself”

“I liked the feeling of community and having support”

“Support from others who were experiencing similar issues”

“People who say I feel ya”

“Being able to talk things through/receive and give advice”

“Being able to be emotionally open and genuine with other people”

Psychiatric Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Medications-Evaluation and Ongoing Consultation

Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) staff includes a psychiatrist. The primary role of the psychiatrist is to evaluate students, recommend treatment, and prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications. Psychiatric care is provided in collaboration with the Student Health Center, Counseling & Psychological Services staff, and the student’s primary mental health provider at home, if applicable.

Students must be referred to the psychiatrist by a Student Health Center clinician or CaPS staff member. A prescheduled appointment is required. In emergency situations, students may be referred to a local hospital for initial evaluation and stabilization. For students who require long term, on-going mental health care, the psychiatrist may assist students with a referral to a psychiatric provider in the community.

CaPS staff, including the psychiatrist, do not perform diagnostic evaluations for ADD/ADHD. Students, however, may be referred to a community specialist for evaluation and diagnosis, if appropriate. Students who have been previously diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and are currently taking prescription medication may obtain refills from a Student Health Center clinician while at school if:

The student is under ongoing care.

A letter summarizing the student's history of treatment and current medication name and dose is received and renewed annually.

The student must make an appointment with a Student Health Center clinician to review the information and obtain the prescription.

Crisis Services for Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Here when you need us most.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) staff provide assessment for students experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency. We take care to help students in distress by providing compassionate support and maintaining the dignity of each individual while attending to their safety and needs.

Crisis services include assessment, connection to resources and safety planning for students who are experiencing acute emotional distress, are a danger to self or others, or are in need of immediate hospitalization.

Concerns about a crisis may be presented by a student, or someone who is concerned about a student. Concerned others may include a roommate, family member, faculty member/staff or coach.

CaPS staff are also available to respond to disasters or traumatic events that may affect an individual or the community.

Counseling & Psychological Services staff are available for preventive programming focused on the developmental needs of students, to maximize the potential to benefit from their academic experience. Programs aim to help students acquire new knowledge, skills and behaviors; encourage positive and realistic self-appraisal; foster personal, academic and career choices; enhance the ability to relate mutually and meaningfully with others; and increase the capacity to engage in a personally satisfying and effective style of living. These programs should be responsive to sexual/relational orientation, gender identity, racial, cultural, disability and ethnic diversity among students, and reach students who are less likely to make use of traditional counseling services.

Examples of outreach and workshops:

Basics of Mindfulness

Stress Management

Goal Setting and Motivation

Mindful Goodbyes for Graduating Seniors

Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

Sleep Hygiene and Sleep Challenges for College Students

Understanding Grief

Referrals to Community Providers for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Although the vast majority of students will be able to meet their goals for counseling through brief individual counseling and psychotherapy or through participation in group counseling, Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) staff may refer some students to an off-campus service to obtain more specialized therapy, for formal evaluation and testing, or for more intensive treatment. Students or others concerned about a student may also request consultation with a CaPS staff member for further information about off-campus treatment providers. Other reasons students may seek an off-campus provider include:

If you don’t feel comfortable coming to a campus office to receive services for privacy reasons

When you know you want specialized or longer-term treatment

CaPS staff may decide to refer a student for additional services at any time during the treatment process.

Counseling & Psychological Services staff are knowledgeable about community resources, and students will be provided with information regarding off-campus treatment providers if one is recommended.

Summer 2018 Business Hours (Until August 15th, 2018)Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pmAppointments before 9am or after 4pm must be arranged with individual service providers